(Credo - I Believe): This is our Profession of Faith. We respond and give our assent to the Word of God heard in the readings and through the Homily and call to mind the truths of our Faith before we begin to celebrate the Eucharist. "This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith in its entirety. [It] encompassed in a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old and the New Testaments." (C.C.C. #186). In the early centuries of the Church many creeds were formulated in an attempt to give some cohesiveness to Christian beliefs and to answer problems and address heresies as the Church reflected on its young faith. At first these creeds were used in the Baptismal Rites and were only incorporated into the Mass in the middle ages. The Apostle's Creed, which we use each Sunday, is "the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome" and "is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith" (C.C.C. #195). It parallels the Baptismal promises which we renew every Easter. On special occasions we use the Nicene Creed "which is often more explicit and more detailed". (C.C.C. #196). As we recite the Creed Sunday after Sunday, do we do it with conviction? Do we appreciate the treasure it contains? Do we reflect on the mysteries of our faith: e.g. Trinity, monotheism (belief in one God), salvation? Are we proud to profess it? Do our voices ring with conviction?

(adapted and taken with permission from Anne Perez, Dir. Religious Ed., Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg, Fla.)